how to teach 3 month old pullets to roost in a coop at night?

[tnchickenlover]

I bought a variety of 20 chicks about 1 month old from a breeder and they had all been in large incubators their entire life. I've had them in a 24' by 24' stall for over a month and last weekend moved them to a large fenced grassy area that includes our 5 box coop. They huddle in a corner or alongside the pen at night and they have no idea they're supposed to roost at night. How do I train them? Chasing 20 chicks every night will just terrify them. I saw the suggestion about a light and that hasn't worked. My other chickens I've purchased in the past just went right in at night without any training. I have 5 older chickens that do roost but I've put them in another pen to avoid any potential pecking issues until the little ones get bigger. Thanks for any help!!

 

[BuffOrpington88]

They will probably figure it out by themselves. At first, make the roost very close to the ground.

 

[tnchickenlover]

thanks but the coop has a walk up to the roost and it's a large coop so I couldn't make it close to the ground. I love Buffs!

 

[aart]

Lock them in the coop for a few days to a week, that will 'home' them to the coop, they'll figure it out.
They may be a bit young to roost yet and might rather pile on the floor still.

 

[tnchickenlover]

thanks! I'll try that.